Case report: hepatic and splenic calcification due to amyloid

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Radiology
• Pathology

Background:

• Primary amyloidosis is a systemic disease characterized by extracellular deposition of misfolded proteins.
• Hepatic and splenic involvement are common in systemic amyloidosis, but calcification is an unusual manifestation.
• Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is a treatment for end-stage renal disease, sometimes associated with metabolic changes.

Observation:

• A patient undergoing CAPD presented with extensive calcification in the liver and spleen.
• Radiographic imaging confirmed the presence of widespread calcification within these organs.
• Clinical and laboratory data were reviewed to identify potential causes of the calcification.

Findings:

• The hepatic and splenic calcification was attributed to primary amyloidosis.
• No causal link was established between CAPD treatment and the observed calcification.
• This represents a previously unreported radiographic manifestation of amyloidosis.

Implications:

• This case expands the spectrum of radiographic findings associated with primary amyloidosis.
• It underscores the importance of considering amyloidosis in the differential diagnosis of unexplained hepatic and splenic calcifications.
• Further research may explore the mechanisms underlying calcium deposition in amyloidosis.